Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton houses a destination M&A practice, evidenced by its involvement in complex corporate mandates and high-value global deals across Europe, South America, and Asia. Fielding a stellar client base, which comprises well-known brands in the tech, retail, and telecoms sectors, the group undertakes both public and private M&A of international significance, while also guiding clients through regulatory, fiduciary, and corporate governance issues. Recent work highlights include advising Synopsys in its pending acquisition of Ansys, valued at approximately $35bn. The department is co-led by New York-based David Leinwand, and Paul Shim, who has an impressive track record in advising global corporates. Also in New York is Kyle Harris, a key contact for cross-border M&A and joint ventures, Kimberly Spoerri, who handles complex carve-outs on the buy and sell side, and Kelsey Nussenfeld. In the San Francisco office, Christopher Moore is reputed among tech industry clients, while Benet O’Reilly  assists leading corporations on high-value M&A and private equity investments. Nickolas Bogdanovich left the firm in August 2024.

A robust performer in both domestic and international high-value M&A, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP also guides clients through divestitures, joint ventures, spin-offs, and complex strategic investments. Other core workflows include assisting top corporations in hostile takeovers, shareholder activist campaigns, and proxy contests. The New York-based team is collectively led by Faiza Saeed, Mark Greene, Ting Chen, Aaron Gruber, Richard Hall, and Robert Townsend. Saeed is highly regarded for her expertise in advising public companies and special committees on corporate governance and crisis management issues, while Greene concentrates on cross-border mandates and private equity and restructuring work. Chen, Gruber, Hall, and Townsend demonstrate tenacity in international M&A, activism and defense mechanisms, and fiduciary duty matters, often representing leading global brands. George Schoen is recommended for his experience in handling hostile and contested transactions.

Distinguished by its popularity with leading multinational clients, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP continues to advise on high value M&A in the oil and gas, food and beverage, and banking sectors. The New York-based group is collectively led by William Aaronson, who handles public and private M&A and activist defense situations, Louis Goldberg, a go-to for board-level concerns and corporate matters, and industry veteran George Bason, who executes industry-changing mergers, joint ventures, and restructurings. Daniel Brass focuses on collaborations and spinoffs, and Cheryl Chan advises local and international clients on corporate governance and shareholder activism, in addition to representing private equity firms on various transactions. Oliver Smith is regularly involved in industry-changing deals, Marc Williams assists multinational corporations with critical business initiatives, and Brian Wolfe is well-versed in sports industry M&A.

Equipped to handle the full spread of cross-border and high-profile M&A work, Kirkland & Ellis LLP is revered for its experience in the full gamut of M&A activity. Regularly engaged by public and private companies, boards of directors, and financial advisors and sponsors, the group operates out of the firm’s New York office. Industry veteran Daniel Wolf represents private equity firms in contested transactions, traditional M&A, and activism defense and corporate governance, whereas Jonathan Davis advises global household name brands and investment banks on public and private M&A. Sarkis Jebejian draws from his decades of experience to lead on top deals, a recent highlight being Six Flags’ $8bn merger of equals with Cedar Fair. Edward Lee focuses on spin-offs, carve-outs, and joint ventures, while David Klein assists strategic and sponsor clients on various high-value M&A mandates. David Feirstein primarily aids private equity firms on corporate matters. Graham Robinson joined in Boston from Skadden, specialising in life sciences and tech deals.

Recognized for its prowess in the public and private M&A space, Latham & Watkins LLP routinely advises principal entities and financial advisors on a wide array of high-value M&A transactions, often operating across the energy, tech, healthcare, sports, and media industries. Mark Bekheit, Silicon Valley partner, leverages his former in-house experience at a Fortune 500 company to advise on tech M&A. In the Bay Area, Tad Freese assists companies in complex corporate deals, while Orange County-based Charles Ruck covers general corporate and securities matters in the life sciences sectors, and Ian Nussbaum handles mergers and acquisitions from the firm’s New York office. Alex Kelly and Paul Kukish co-head the practice from New York. Justin Hamill departed the team in May 2025.

Standing out for its combination of both legal, financial, and commercial acumen, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP  boasts an agile practice, routinely handling M&A for public and private companies, investors, and portfolio companies. Working across the automotive, tech, banking, and energy sectors, the New York-based group also handles activist campaigns, and assists with corporate governance matters and unsolicited transactions. Scott Barshay is experienced in high-value M&A in the aerospace and consumer sectors, Robert Kindler is a go-to for proxy contests and takeover defense matters, and Jeffrey Marell is reputed for his strengths in private equity and global M&A, in addition to carve-out transactions. Industry veteran Robert Schumer assists corporations and boards of directors on M&A structuring and fiduciary duties considerations, while Krishna Veeraraghavan routinely handles cross-border M&A. Steven Williams, James Langston, and Laura Turano are well-versed in private equity, public company transactions, and mergers-of-equals.

Cementing its status as a market leader in the M&A space, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has ample experience in the structuring, negotiation, and completion of complex and high-value transactions. With involvement in major deals such as Microsoft’s $75bn acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the New York-based practice routinely represents clients in the infrastructure, tech, and consumer products sectors. Department head Eric Swedenburg counsels clients on various M&A mandates, divestitures, and joint ventures. Anthony Vernace is well-versed in representing private equity firms in M&A, investments, and other significant corporate transactions, while the experienced Lee Meyerson assists elite financial and investment firms on complex mergers. Alan Klein is reputed for his work in guiding boards of directors through high-profile acquisitions. Justin Rosenberg  left the firm in April 2024.

Standing out for its comprehensive industry coverage, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP draws from its experienced team of transactional lawyers to undertake an impressive host of work in the M&A sector, primarily advising leading clients from the financial services, investment, and tech sectors. With notable expertise in high-value and cross-border acquisitions, the department lies under the guidance of New York-based Allison Schneirov, who guides corporate clients and their board of directors on M&A, corporate governance, and divestitures. Also in New York is corporate attorney Howard Ellin, who concentrates on securities law, public and private acquisitions, and leveraged buyouts. In Washington DC, Pankaj Sinha represents buyers, sellers, and financial advisors on negotiated and contested public acquisitions, while Houston attorney Eric Otness covers M&A in the energy and infrastructure industries. Graham Robinson has left the firm.

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is a popular choice to advise a host of global and domestic clients, where the M&A team adopts a multidisciplinary approach and leverages cross-jurisdictional support. The department is jointly led by the experienced Steven Rosenblum who is skilled in high value M&A, takeover defense, and joint ventures, and the renowned Adam Emmerich, who routinely assists public and private companies in divestitures, securities law matters, and finance transactions. Industry veteran Edward Herlihy is regularly involved in complex bank and financial institutions M&A, while corporate and securities attorney Daniel Neff advises board committees. Benjamin Roth assists financial sponsors and management teams with complex international M&A, Victor Goldfeld focuses on mergers in the TMT and energy sectors, and Jenna Levine and Zachary Podolsky are regarded for their expertise in advising special committees of directors. All named lawyers are based in New York.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP’s impressive M&A practice is engaged by a host of clients, including private equity firms, global corporations, and financial institutions. Focusing on tech companies, Michael Diz spearheads the San Francisco office and covers private equity fund formation and complex M&A. In the New York office, Kevin Rinker has transactional expertise in investments and divestitures, Christopher Anthony handles strategic partnerships and healthcare sector acquisitions, and Jennifer Chu concentrates on deals in the life sciences industry. Also in New York is Paul Bird, a go-to for cross-border M&A and spin-offs, Jonathan Levitsky, who manages high-value M&A for media sector clients, and William Regner, who is recommended for his corporate expertise. Further key contacts in New York include Katherine Taylor, who advises public and private companies on various deals, and the experienced Jeffrey Rosen, who assists clients with complex joint ventures, activist challenges and restructurings, and securities offerings.

Revered for its ‘exceptional skill set and wealth of practical experience; Freshfields’s growing M&A practice serves a wide range of global household name clients. The team is jointly led by ‘stand out’ Ethan Klingsberg, who advises on activist stockholder issues, and Damien Zoubek, regarded as ‘a force in the M&A world’, and praised for his experience in distressed M&A and shareholder activism defense. Clients deem Jenny Hochenberg as ‘the best of the best’ for her work in transformative M&A deals, often representing automotive and aviation sector corporations, while Sebastian Fain handles domestic and cross-border M&A and private equity acquisitions. Paul Humphreys focuses on public and private M&A and general corporate governance, and Sanjay Murti concentrates on high-profile sales and acquisitions of publicly traded companies. In the Silicon Valley, John Fisher assists local and international tech and life sciences industry clients in their entry into the market. Unless otherwise mentioned, all named lawyers are based in New York.

The M&A practice at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP adopts an interdisciplinary approach by liaising with the firm’s antitrust, IP, and tax departments, and routinely advises large public companies on high-value transactions. Working across the cybersecurity, oil and gas, and privacy industries, the team is well-equipped to advise on hostile M&A bids, related litigation, governance issues, and shareholder activism. Dallas-based co-head Robert Little concentrates on securities offerings and joint ventures. The New York office is co-led by Saee Muzumdar, who represents strategic companies and private equity clients in global M&A, George Sampas focuses on M&A in the aviation, aerospace and defense sectors, and Barbara Becker advises on spin-offs and general corporate matters. Also operating out of Dallas is Tull Florey, who is adept in transactional and governance matters.

The fully rounded practice at Hogan Lovells US LLP is reputed for its ‘excellent depth and coverage for all facets of M&A’, where the firm offers a holistic approach by collaborating with its antitrust, IP, litigation, and tax teams. Working in tandem with the firm’s global network of offices and benefiting from its transatlantic strength, the group is well positioned to handle cross-border M&A for top clients worldwide. The offering is co-led by New York-based William Curtin, who advises corporate giants and private equity firms, Washington DC-based corporate lawyer Elizabeth Donley, and ‘business savvy’ Silicon Valley-based Keith Flaum, who represents public and private companies in complex M&A and joint ventures. Also in Silicon Valley is the esteemed Richard Climan, who represents tech-sector clients in industry-shifting acquisitions, and the ‘substantively excellent’ Jalpit Amin, a go-to for multijurisdictional transactions. In New York, Peter Cohen-Millstein focuses on divestments and takeovers, while Adrienne Ellman handles M&A and private equity in the life sciences and healthcare fields. Washington DC’s ‘expert’ Mahvesh Qureshi concentrates on carve-outs and strategic investments.

Leveraging its international network of offices, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP displays proficiency in the large-scale M&A space, where the firm’s client roster includes well-known public and private companies, primarily within the energy, tech, and food and beverage industries. The group is also well-equipped to advise on hostile takeover matters, shareholder activism, and matters stemming from action initiated by high-profile activist hedge funds. The leadership trio comprises Michael Aiello, who is well-versed in complex cross-border M&A and divestitures involving public companies, Michael Lubowitz, who represents private equity sponsors in the acquisition and disposition of public companies, and Matthew Gilroy, a go-to for acquirors, targets, and investment banks seeking assistance with complex M&A and compliance issues. Sachin Kohli, Eoghan Keenan, and Amanda Fenster are all experienced in corporate governance considerations, defensive measures, and disclosure issues related to M&A. All named individuals are based in New York.

Clients come to Baker McKenzie LLP for its ‘exceptional negotiation skills’, where the firm’s roster of clients include large multinationals and private equity fund sponsors. Benefiting from its global footprint of offices, the M&A department handles complex cross-border deals, including divestitures and spin-offs, and has experience on both the buy- and sell-side of transactions. The offering is jointly led by New York-based Alan Zoccolillo, who is proficient in the structuring and negotiation of high value M&A, and Chicago’s Michael DeFranco covers global transactions and securities law compliance. David Malliband and Olivia Tyrrell, also in Chicago, are well-versed in cross-border mandates and joint ventures, strategic alliances, and carve-outs, respectively. In Palo Alto, Leif King focuses on private equity investments, while San Francisco-based Derek Liu represents strategic acquirers and venture-backed start-ups in various deals.

In the large-scale M&A arena, White & Case LLP is strategically placed to advise on domestic and international deals, due to its global network of offices. Active across the healthcare, financial services, and tech sectors, the New York-based group benefits from an integrated M&A and private equity team and advises leading investment banks. Industry veteran John Reiss advises on cross-border transactions, often representing international corporations, and leads the department alongside Michael Deyong, who focuses on strategic acquisitions. Keith Hallam is well-versed in assisting private equity sponsors and public and private companies on joint ventures and carve-out transactions, Kimberly Petillo-Décossard handles disclosure and compliance matters, and Gregory Pryor works on M&A deals in the petrochemical and energy sectors. Thomas Christopher is proficient in shareholder activism and corporate governance mandates, while Denise Cerasani focuses on securities law and corporate finance.

With a fine record in complex domestic and international M&A, particularly in the fintech, media, and healthcare sectors, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is noted for its ‘deep expertise’ in the area. The group lies under the steady leadership of Philip Richter, who is experienced in representing public and private companies on minority investments, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships, and Steven Epstein, who is proficient in both transactional and advisory matters, including divestitures. Roy Tannenbaum’s core scope of work entails public and private M&A, while Adam Cohen focuses on asset acquisitions and majority and minority investments.

The M&A offering at Jones Day is wide ranging and showcases strengths in the life sciences, tech, and industrial industries. With ample experience in global M&A deals, the team is co-led by New York duo Andrew Levine, who also handles private equity and activism defense for strategic participants, and Randi Lesnick, a go-to for spin-offs, restructurings, and divestitures. In Cleveland, Benjamin Stulberg primarily handles public company representations and matters concerning corporate governance, whereas Peter Izanec is well-versed in contests for controls and joint ventures. Also operating out of the New York office is Robert Profusek, who covers buyouts and hostile takeover bids, and Julia Feldman, who advises public and private companies on M&A in the gaming and energy sectors.

Linklaters LLP’s M&A department houses an ‘incredible breadth of world-class talent’, where the group’s roster of clients includes leading multinationals, sovereign wealth funds, and sovereign sponsors. Leveraging the firm’s international network of offices, the team is well-placed to handle cross-border M&A, public takeovers, corporate restructurings, and carve-outs. Industry veteran George Casey anchors the New York-based practice and routinely advises boards of directors on transformative strategic M&A deals, in addition to ESG and shareholder relations issues. Heiko Schiwek is experienced in the chemical sector, where he advises on public company acquisitions and joint ventures, while Pierre-Emmanuel Perais focuses on public and private M&A and corporate governance in the tech and pharmaceuticals fields. Gregory Gewirtz focuses on minority investments and financial advisory assignments, while Josh Feit, who is reputed for his ‘superb communication skills’, handles international M&A and restructurings in the energy and digital infrastructure segments. Yiting Du is a key contact within the group.

With a client roster consisting of private equity firms and domestic corporations from the financial services, healthcare, and real estate sectors, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is well-equipped to advise on cross-border M&A, leveraged buyouts, and minority investments. The New York-based team is collectively led by David Boston, a go-to for asset management M&A, Russell Leaf, who focuses on corporate governance and securities law, and Adam Turteltaub, a key contact for public and private M&A, shareholder activism, and restructurings. Laura Delanoy and Steven Seidman are recommended for their know-how in insurance and tech sector M&A, respectively.

The ‘enormously dedicated’ M&A practice at A&O Shearman secures strong feedback for its business-oriented approach, where the group advises on public company and consortium transactions, private sales, and take privates. Leveraging the firm’s geographical coverage, the group frequently collaborates with its tax, financial regulatory, and IP disciplines. The team’s leadership trio comprises Scott Petepiece, known for his ‘technical expertise’ in advising boards of directors in negotiated mergers and buy-outs, Daniel Litowitz, who advises multinationals in public and private M&A and hostile acquisitions, and Beth Troy, who is regarded for her ‘incredible work ethic’ in representing corporations and private equity firms in complex M&A. Clare O’Brien focuses on corporate governance and public company restructurings, Romain Dambre impresses with his ‘out of the box solutions’ in leveraged buyouts and carve-outs, Rory O’Halloran handles special committee representations, and Roger Morscheiser works on strategic and minority investments in the tech and media industries. The department operates out of the firm’s New York office.

At Baker Botts L.L.P., the M&A department’s scope of work includes private equity investments, strategic partnerships, and M&A in relation to TMT and energy transition initiatives. The group lies under the leadership of Dallas-based Samantha Crispin, who handles transaction financing, corporate governance, and related tax concerns, and Natasha Khan, who operates out of the firm’s Houston office and focuses on joint development agreements and collaborations in the life sciences sector. In New York, Jonathan Gordon advises public and private sector clients on cross-border M&A and joint ventures, while Neil Torpey is adept in securities offerings and venture capital transactions. Also in Houston is Carina Antweil, a key advisor for investment banking firms, and Jamie Yarbrough, who handles securities compliance issues.

The rapidly growing M&A department at Cooley LLP demonstrates expertise in both buy- and sell-side deals and regularly advises leading companies on business expansion opportunities and strategic exits. Integrating a cross-practice approach by liaising with the firm’s corporate and regulatory teams, the group is co-led by San Diego-based Barbara Borden, and San Francisco-based Jamie Leigh, who advises tech and financial companies on takeover and activist defense engagements, and proxy contests. Well-known for representing tech startups, San Diego duo Rowook Park and Rama Padmanabhan are skilled in public and private M&A, and life sciences sector deals, respectively. In New York, Kevin Cooper advises emerging companies on complex corporate transactions, while San Francisco’s Ben Beerle covers joint venture deals.

Serving a range of private equity firms and strategic sellers and buyers, Dechert LLP guides clients through cross-border M&A, corporate restructurings, and collaborations. Working across the industrial, healthcare, and financial services sectors, the group is collectively led by Mark Thierfelder, who handles M&A in Europe and Asia, Kenneth Young, a key contact for corporate and securities law matters, and Jay Alicandri, who represents asset managers and insurance companies in various deals. Jonathan Kim assists financial sponsors in M&A and divestitures, while Philadelphia-based Eric Siegel operates across the tech and life sciences industries. Stephen Pratt is noted for his work in M&A in the financial services sector and often works on the acquisition and reorganization of investment funds. Unless otherwise mentioned, all named lawyers are based in the firm’s New York office.

Clients praise DLA Piper LLP (US)’s ‘exceptionally high-quality legal advice’ in the M&A space, where the New York-based group routinely advises on the negotiation and structuring of cross-border deals and strategic transactions. Working in tandem with the team’s tax, litigation, and employment disciplines, the practice lies under the leadership of Christopher Giordano, who focuses on M&A involving private and publicly traded companies, in addition to corporate governance matters. Jon Venick is skilled in representing clients in M&A, asset deals, stock transactions, and private equity work.

The nascent M&A practice at Fenwick & West LLP illustrates niche expertise in the tech and life sciences spaces, where the group’s experience extends to representing start-ups and emerging companies in various complex transactions. San Francisco-based co-head Bomi Lee is experienced in strategic transactions such as carve-outs and stock and cash acquisitions, while the skilled Ken Myers co-leads from the New York office, focusing on corporate governance and representing digital entertainment giants in significant deals. In San Francisco, industry veteran Douglas Cogen handles high-profile M&A and divestitures, while Seattle-based Effie Toshav covers spin-offs and corporate financings, and New York’s Ethan Skerry handles M&A in the gaming, software, and e-commerce sectors. In the Silicon Valley, Kris Withrow handles tech and AI acquisitions, David Michaels is well-versed in public company mergers and tender offers, and Victoria Lupu advises on reverse mergers.

Recognized for its prowess in the M&A space, Goodwin advises clients from the pharmaceutical, AI, fintech, and real estate industries on tender offers, divestitures and take-privates, and spin offs, in addition to acting on both the private and public side for mature clients. With experience in the regulatory, transactional, and antitrust elements of M&A, the group is collectively led by Boston-based Michael Kendall, who concentrates on corporate finance, private equity, and venture capital deals. Silicon Valley- based co-head Lawrence Chu is well-verse in handling global M&A for tech companies, while co-head Joshua Zachariah covers corporate governance and strategic M&A representations from the firm’s New York office. Also in Boston is Stuart Cable, who has ample experience in representing boards of directors in life sciences-focused M&A.

Praised for its ‘deep industry knowledge’, Morrison Foerster receives a stream of work from leading West Coast clients, which include global tech giants. Known for its expertise in the tech sector, the group advises boards of directors, global corporations, and high-net-worth individuals, and is particularly active in the Asian market. San Francisco-based co-heads Eric McCrath and Brandon Parris focus on complex M&A and corporate governance matters, respectively. New York-based co-head Spencer Klein covers divestitures, tender and exchange offers, joint ventures, and shareholder activism defense. Also in New York is Mitchell Presser, who concentrates on private equity in the food and agriculture industry, and Joe Sulzbach, who represents public and private entities in domestic and foreign M&A. In San Francisco, Michael O’Bryan handles strategic transactions, while Denver-based Erik Knudsen concentrates on leveraged buyouts and strategic mergers.

The M&A team at Akin works in tandem with the firm’s tax, debt finance, and IP teams to advise on stock sales, leveraged buyouts, tender offers, stock sales, carve-outs, and contested transactions. Primarily active within the energy, tech, and media industries, the group is led by Zachary Wittenberg, who is recommended for his experience in public and private M&A, and the corporate aspects of restructurings. Sergio Urias’ scope of work includes advising private equity funds on cross-border M&A and transactions within Latin America, while Houston-based John Goodgame handles strategic transactions and corporate governance work, and Jason Koenig covers shareholder activism matters. Unless otherwise noted, all named practitioners are based in New York.

With a focus on the financial services, life sciences, and sports sectors, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP  works with the firm’s employment, IP, antitrust, and litigation practices. The M&A department is collectively led by New York-based Christina Melendi and Andrew Milano, and Benjamin Wills and Kevin Shmelzer, who operate out of the Philadelphia office. Melendi is proficient in representing private equity sponsors in M&A, minority investments, and asset purchases, Milano focuses on US and cross-border mergers and dispositions, Wills is a key contact for M&A and joint ventures in the energy sector, and Shmelzer is recommended for his work in divestitures and private equity. New York’s Alec Dawson concentrates on the structuring of M&A for strategic acquirers, while Boston-based Laurie Cerveny focuses on regulatory and securities law advice.

Equipped to handle both the transactional and regulatory elements of M&A, Sidley Austin LLP’s scope of work extends to corporate financing, shareholder activism, proxy fights, and hostile takeovers, primarily within the life sciences and insurance industries. In Chicago, Brian Fahrney and Paul Choi are proficient in drawing up innovative M&A deal structures and handling cross-border public and private M&A, respectively. Los Angeles-based Dan Clivner covers private equity deals in the media and entertainment sector, Houston-based Mark Metts focuses on acquisitions for private equity clients and corporate reorganizations, and Sharon Flanagan oversees cybersecurity M&A from the team’s San Francisco office. All named individuals collectively lead the firm’s practice.